Tyler Adams excited to further his education, football career at nearby Nebraska Wesleyan

Freeman senior Tyler Adams (center) signs his national letter of intent on Wednesday morning in the Freeman library, surrounded by family and coaches.

ADAMS, NE – Freeman’s Tyler Adams has been a staple on the Falcons’ football and basketball teams for the last several years.

On Dec. 11, his decision was made. He verbally announced his commitment to play football for Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Adams made it official Wednesday, signing his national letter of intent to the PrairieWolves.

“I think a degree from Nebraska Wesleyan means a little bit,” Adams said. “Once you bring that to a job (interview), they’re going to see that and say, ‘he’s come from a good school.'”

Adams plans to major in sports management, and will play tight end on the field.

“I went to a few game days,” Adams said. “It felt like family, and it felt like home.”

Adams will see some familiar faces once he arrives in Lincoln. Freeman alums Jacob Neil (OL) and Jacob Gramann (QB) are currently freshmen at Wesleyan, while Dylan MacKichan (DB) is a senior.

As a senior at Freeman, Adams led the Falcons (7-3) in receptions this past season with 14. He was second on the team with 136 receiving yards. As a middle linebacker, he led Freeman with 39 total tackles.

The Falcons lost in the first round of the Class C2 playoffs to Bancroft-Rosalie/Lyons-Decatur Northeast, 56-39, but it was the school’s first time back in the postseason since 2014.

“All summer long, we were saying we’re making the playoffs,” Adams said. “We didn’t want to go four years without putting a date on the wall. So, we were really focused on that, and to see the hard work pay off, and just to see how excited everyone was, it was really awesome.”

Tyler’s brother Scott, who’s four years older, also became a college football player. He went eight hours away from Freeman, and is currently a redshirt junior at the Colorado School of Mines.

Tyler, and his mother Kristine, are relieved to be staying close to the Adams’ family home – in Adams.

While Adams will enroll in classes in Lincoln this fall, there’s a chance he could be playing some basketball there this spring.

The Falcons boys’ team (16-3), ranked No. 6 in the state and fresh off an ECNC conference tournament championship this past Saturday over Yutan, look to keep things rolling when they host high-flying and No. 3-ranked Johnson-Brock on Thursday.

“We have a big five-game stretch coming up,” Adams said. “We have to stay focused on that. We have to finish out the season strong, but we’re ready for it.”

Through the first 11 games of the season, Adams had been averaging 14.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest.

The Falcons have a gauntlet to close the regular season out. On Saturday, they travel to Class B and No. 9 Hastings (11-4). Next Tuesday, they’ll face Johnson-Brock (17-2) in the postponed MUDECAS 3rd place game.

The regular season ends on Feb. 15 with a home game against Sterling (10-9).